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Did you know that one in ten Canadians have kidney disease and millions more are at risk. It can be very hard to tell because there are often no symptoms when kidneys start to fail. Many people have no idea there are problems until they have already lost most of their kidney function. That is the reason why early detection and screening are so critical.

One of the events that Bill and I try to attend every year is our local Kidney Walk. And this year was no exception. On June 2nd we joined many others who came out on a sunny Sunday to show their support for those who have been impacted by kidney disease. We know that research is essential since there is no cure. Thousands of Canadians participate in the walk each year and their generous donations allow the Kidney Foundation to fund promising research projects. You may also be familiar with the top fundraising activity of the Kidney Foundation, the “Kidney Car” program, where you can donate your unwanted vehicle and support screening for kidney disease, medical research and provide support for much needed programs and services. You can recycle your vehicle and demonstrate environmental stewardship at the same time.

So while I encourage you to join us at the 2020 Kidney Walk, there is something else that you can do. You can consider becoming an organ donor. Many Canadians are on a list for organ donation and the majority of people on the list are waiting for a kidney. While getting a new kidney isn’t a cure, it provides a significant improvement in the quality of life for a person living with kidney failure.